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Passports - FAQ
Canadian living in the United States or Bermuda
- Are Canadian passport services available abroad?
- Should I carry a Canadian passport when travelling abroad?
- Do I need a Canadian passport to travel to the United States?
- Is a machine-readable passport required to enter the United States?
- Can I use a certificate of Canadian Citizenship instead of a passport to travel abroad?
- Do I need a Canadian passport to return to Canada from abroad?
- What is the validity period of a Canadian passport?
- Why is it important to fill out the emergency contact information on page 4 of my passport?
- What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen while I am abroad?
- If I have a citizenship in another country, should I use that country's passport when travelling abroad?
- Where can I find more information?
1. How can I obtain a Canadian passport?
Check the Passport Canada website for important updates on passport applications and renewal policies.
2. Are Canadian passport services available abroad?
Most Canadian government offices abroad provide the full range of passport services. There are some exceptions, such as consulates headed by honorary consuls, where only limited-validity emergency passports are issued. Canadians living abroad and Canadians living in the United States or Bermuda must complete separate applications. The requirements for the issuance of passports overseas are the same as in Canada. Processing time varies.
Canadian government offices in the United States do not provide regular passport services. Canadians residing in the United States or Bermuda must submit their application to the central Passport Canada office in Gatineau, Quebec. Use of a certified courier/traceable mail service will reduce the delivery time of your application and ensure the safety of your documents.
3. Should I carry a Canadian passport when travelling abroad?
You should have a valid Canadian passport for all trips outside Canada. A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted identification document, and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada. Some countries do not require a passport for entry but do require photographic identification (such as a driver’s licence) as well as proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a birth certificate or citizenship card). This requirement varies from country to country.
To avoid delays and other problems that could hinder your return to Canada, you are strongly advised to obtain a Canadian passport, in addition to a travel visa if necessary, prior to initiating international travel. Use your Canadian passport at all times while travelling abroad and keep it protected at all times.
As an added precaution, photocopy the identification page of your passport and carry it separately from your passport while abroad. Also leave a photocopy at home.
4. Do I need a Canadian passport to travel to the United States?
You are strongly advised to carry a valid Canadian passport when travelling to any foreign destination, including the United States. Consult the Travel Report for the United States for detailed information on entry requirements.
Also, see the Canada Border Services Agency for information on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a U.S. law requiring all travellers, including Canadians, to carry a passport or other appropriate secure documentation when travelling to the United States.
5. Is a machine-readable passport required to enter the United States?
The U.S. Visa Waiver Program requires visitors from various countries to have machine-readable passports to enter the United States. This requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens, even if their passport is issued abroad. Canadian citizens generally do not require a visa to travel to the United States. However, non-citizen permanent residents of Canada (and their children) as well as Canadian citizens in certain categories (such as foreign government officials, officials and employees of international organizations, treaty traders and investors, fiancé/es, and children of fiancé/es) do require a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States.Additional information is available from Passport Canada and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
6. Can I use a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship instead of a passport to travel abroad?
No, you cannot. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. See our FAQs on Canadian Citizenship for further details.
7. Do I need a Canadian passport to return to Canada from abroad?
Due to increased scrutiny of international travellers by airlines and immigration authorities around the world, Canadian citizens attempting to return to Canada without a valid Canadian passport will be subject to additional verifications that may delay or prevent their return. To avoid such problems, Canadian citizens without a valid Canadian passport should contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad to apply for a passport before returning to Canada. Consult Passport Canada for further information on passport services.
8. What is the validity period of a Canadian passport?
A Canadian passport is generally valid for a five-year period starting on the day it was issued. In some instances, passports are issued for shorter periods. A passport issued to a child under age three is valid for three years only. Note that some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada. Information on which countries impose this requirement can be found in the Travel Reports.
9. Why is it important to fill out the emergency contact information on page 4 of my passport?
This information will enable consular officials to establish contact with your next of kin in case of an emergency. We recommend that you provide the name of a person who would not normally accompany you while travelling.
10. What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen while I am abroad?
Report the loss or theft to the local police and obtain a written police report. Then notify the nearest Canadian government office abroad and apply for a replacement passport. In addition to a police report, you will need to submit:
- a completed passport application form (available at any Canadian government office abroad);
- two passport-size photos;
- the required passport fee;
- documentary proof of Canadian citizenship (your birth or citizenship certificate); and
- a Statutory Declaration concerning a Lost, Stolen, Inaccessible, or Destroyed Canadian Passport or Travel Document (available at any Canadian government office abroad).
11. If I have citizenship in another country, should I use that country's passport when travelling abroad?
Canadian citizens are strongly advised to use only their Canadian passport when travelling abroad. Doing otherwise could create problems and limit the willingness of foreign authorities to permit the Government of Canada to assist you if you experience difficulties. A Canadian passport is the only document that will guarantee your re-entry into Canada.
Also, please note that in some countries it is illegal to have a second citizenship. For further information, consult our FAQs on Dual Citizenship and the publication Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know.
12. Where can I find more information?
Consult the Passport Canada website.
